Firearm support system

ABSTRACT

An invention uniting a gun sling and a bipod into one unit. The gun sling remains an active sling for transporting a firearm. The bipod, built into said sling, supports the firearm for increased accuracy. The bipod is a one handed, quick and easy setup. The bipod is comprised of multiple adjustable support legs, that when collasped are stored inside a stretchable nylon pouch, that is securely attached to a gun sling. By pulling downward on a thumb loop, that is located a bottom edge of said pouch, the support legs will automatically deploy into a supporting position thereby giving a shooter an adjustable pivotal support bipod. Support legs are then retracted by flip folding the legs sections back into said pouch preparing for the transporting of the firearm by the attached gun sling. Generally bipods are attached to the exterior of the firearm which will decrease the accuracy of the firearm and causes safety issues. External mounted bipods may catch on gun cases, brush, fences, clothing and the like, which is a serious safety hazard. Other features and their advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art of firearm accessory design and fabrication from careful reading of the detailed description of preferred embodiments accompanied by the following descriptions, claims and drawings.

This application claims priority of prior disclosure document number 583845 filed Aug. 12, 2005, entitled “Firearm Total Support System”, which is incorporated by this reference.

The present invention known as “firearm support system” for a firearm relates to a gun sling and a bi-pod, combined into one unit for a complete firearm support system. The gunsling portion of the support system remains an active sling for carrying and transporting a firearm, to and from the field or range. The bi-pod portion of the support system remains an active bi-pod, giving the shooter stability and increased accuracy.

Installation of the firearm support system, onto any firearm, requires no alterations to the firearm. The firearm support system is transferable from one firearm to another.

All fourteen components, (see FIG. 1) are weatherproof and waterproof. When a shooters firearm is loaded, the firearm support system will prove to be a safe and secure design. While shooter is in motion, the bipod is safely collasped/folded away inside the elastic pouch (see FIG. 1; 8 a,b,c), eliminating the dangers of the bi-pod legs being caught or hung on trees, clothing, fences and the like. The firearm support system is quick and easy to set up. With a single movement from the shooter, by pulling downward on the thumb loop (see FIG. 1; 10) the support legs (see FIG. 1; 13) automatically deploy and lock into place. The firearm is then placed into the rest (see FIG. 1; 6). Thus helping to reduce fatigue on the shooter and giving it a hands free design, allowing the shooter the use game calls and the like. The cushioned shoulder pad (see FIG. 1; 4) allows for comfort, while the firearm is being transported.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a firearm support system for transporting and supporting a firearm and more particularly to a gun sling and a bipod being one complete unit. Accuracy for a firearm is best when the barrel end is supported by a bipod. Most firearms such as shotguns, rifles or handguns, herein after referred to as firearms, are manufactured with existing pivotal sling mounts. This total support system mounts to any firearm by means of two sling swivels, one located at each of the gun sling. Shooting sticks and bipods are typical examples of a support system to assist in the supporting of a firearm for stability and increased accuracy.

This present invention incorporates the bipod into a gun sling. Gun slings can be made of various materials. Securely attached to the gun sling, by means of a center connecting pin, is a stretchable nylon pouch made of a resilient material, such as elastic. Collasped and stored into the said pouch is a bipod consisting of multiple support legs. The support legs are adjustable allowing for the bipod to be used in various positions and are also pivitol allowing for a broad shooting radius.

With the aid of a thumb loop which is attached to the bottom edge of said pouch, one handedly by pulling downward on thumb loop thus stretching pouch and deploying support legs. The support legs automatically lock securely into place creating a bipod. An elastic cord goes through the inside of the support legs which allows for the extending, collapsing and the adjustability of the legs. With the support legs deployed, the bipod creates a support system rest, for the supporting and resting of the firearm. The rest holds the firearm steady for increased accuracy and reduces fatigue of the shooter. To retract the support legs simply pull downward on each leg thus the internal elastic cord releases the multiple sections of the support legs allowing the folding of said legs to be stored into said pouch for transporting the firearm safely and comfortably by means of the shoulder cushioned gun sling.

(2) Prior Art

The invention relates to the art of supporting and carrying a firearm. Traditional bipods have several problems. Generally they are attached to the exterior of the firearm, the pressure against the barrel has the tendency to lesson the accuracy. Traditional bipods also tend to be heavy in weight, cumbersome uneasy to store, noisy during setup and also consist of many mechanical moving parts, which can be costly to manufacture.

Safety is always a primary consideration when using a firearm, traditional exterior mounted bipods create the hazard of catching on gun cases, brush, fences, clothing and the like. Where as this present invention combines a gun sling and a bipod into one unit.

The bipod stores collasped inside a storage pouch that is securely affixed to a gun sling, for safe and easy carrying.

Accordingly, it is the objective of this invention to provide a total firearm support system for a firearm that increases shooting accuracy, increases safety, is aesthetically pleasing, lightweight, a quick setup, quite and easy to use.

Yet another objective of this invention is to provide a useful gun sling combined with a useful bipod, without having to repeatedly attach and unattach, move and remove, carry and store a traditional bipod. Futher this invention will be durable and inexpensive to manufacture.

Numerous firearm stabilizing devices exist for increasing projectile accuracy. These devices typically include a leg mounted to a firearm stock and mounted to the exterior of the firearm. These devices are intended to stabilize the firearm during firing.

Examples of the Prior Art Include

Beltz (U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,560) is an adjustable firearm support that attaches to a sling stud mounted on the underside of a buttstock. A top end of a support rod has a pivotal clasp that engages the sling stud. A support leg can be rotated up or down on the lower threaded end of the support rod.

Harris (U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,620) describes a bipod for a firearm which attaches to the forestock and has a pair of adjustable telescoping legs. The bipod legs maintain a strut mechanism with resilient properties for absorbing recoil forces.

Helmstadter (U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,554) is an adjustable gun support that includes a cradle that receives a front portion and a rear portion of the firearm, and a pointed rod member which is inserted in the ground with the aid of a step-on member. The gun cradle may be raised or lowered vertically on the rod to elevate or lower the firearm.

Many different kinds of slings, as well as other gun carrying devices, are known. Most shooters prefer to have a firearm sling to assist in carrying a firearm. And many shooters also like having a bipod and/or monopod to aid in the stabilizing of a firearm. It is the intent of this present invention to provide the features of both, combined into one unit, thus forming a total firearm support system.

Rock (U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,360), illustrates a weapon sling that uses slides, buckles and other fittings for adjustment of the belt.

Hightower (U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,756), discloses an adjustable gun sling, the Hightower sling includes a shoulder pad, a thumb loop for over the shoulder carrying, and fittings for attachment and adjustment of the sling.

Dvoroznak (U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,022), discloses a flexible rifle sling of a fabric material, which also includes a cradle portion of a fabric-covered foam rib member. The cradle portion is designed to receive the hand grip portion of a rifle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The firearm support system of present invention is comprised of a gun sling, a nylon pouch and a bipod, all manufactured into one unit. The gun sling can be fabricated of various materials. The nylon pouch is fabricated of a stretchable fabric, such as elastic. Attached at bottom edge of pouch is a thumb loop, which can be made of various materials. The thumb loop is pulled in a downward direction, which stretches the nylon pouch and deploys the bipod.

The bipod support legs are fabricated of cylindrical tubing. Each leg contains multiple sections allowing for the adjustability, extension and collapsing of said legs. Inside the multiple sections of each support leg is a continuous elastic cord which allows for the support legs to be extended and collasped. With support legs extended and by pulling legs apart; a support rest is opened thus having a support to steady the firearm, increase accuracy and reduce fatigue of the user. When the shooter is ready to move, walk, carry, transport the firearm, they simply pull downward on the support legs, which unlocks the support leg connectors, with the aid of the internal elastic cord. Fold the leg sections securely into the pouch, which is attached to a gun sling by center pin connection. Gun sling has a cushioned shoulder pad for extra comfort. The invention eliminates bipods and shooting sticks being mounted on the exterior of the firearm, which not only decreases the shooting accuracy but is hazardous as well, as they tend to get caught on other objects. The invention is simple to use, practical and cost effective.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and shown in the accompanying drawings, where in;

(FIG. 1) is an overall view of the firearm support system showing the preferred placement of the individual components.

(FIG. 2) is a front view, side view, and back view of the firearm support system

(FIG. 3) shows firearm support system with the support legs being deployed, as described in FIG. 5 c.

(FIG. 4) shows firearm support system legs completely deployed and open; and shows the support system rest in the open position; and details each components location when bipod is fully extend, and firearm support system is ready for use.

(FIG. 5) is described in four parts:

5 a; shows a user carrying the firearm support system, collasped and in the transporting mode;

5 b; shows a user deploying the support legs by pulling downward on the thumb loop;

5 c; shows the support legs deployed, and the user pulling legs apart thus creating a support rest;

5 d; shows the user in a shooting position and the firearm support system deployed and the firearm supported by the support system rest.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings in detail, as depicted in FIGS. (1), (3) and (4) illustrates a break down of the individual components that make up the firearm support system; which is a gun sling and a bipod constructed as one unit. Most firearms are manufactured with existing pivitol sling mounts. The firearm support system attaches to a firearm by means of sling swivel(s) (1 a,1 b). A nylon sling strap (3 a) being made of various materials and cut to lengths and widths, is attached in a permanent location at top edge of cushioned shoulder pad (4). The nylon sling strap (3 a) loops through a sling swivel (1 a) and continues through an adjustment buckle (2 a). The adjustment buckles(s) (2 a, 2 b) allows for the adjustment of the firearm support system for a precise fit for the said user. Attached at bottom edge of cushioned shoulder pad (4) is a continuous nylon sling strap (3 b, 3 c) which continues downward and connects through adjustment buckle (2 b), which loops through a sling swivel (1 b) and is attached in a permanent location. Attached between the nylon sling strap (3 b) and nylon thumb loop (10) is an elastic storage pouch (9 a,9 b,9 c), which stores the collasped bipod, as shown by FIG. 1 By pulling downward on nylon thumb loop (10) thus stretching elastic storage pouch (9 b), the support leg sections (13) are automatically deployed and are instantly aligned by the internal elastic cord (11), as shown by FIG. 3, thus securely locking support legs (13) into support leg connectors (12), as shown by FIG. 4. The bipod has a support system rest (6) for supporting and stabilizing a firearm. The top end(s) of the support system rest (6) are protected with rubber coated caps (5). The support system rest (6) opens and closes by the motion of pulling support legs (13) apart; and pushing support legs (13) back together. FIG. 4 shows support legs (13) and support system rest (6) in their open position. The open and closing movement of the support system rest (6) is allowed by the center connecting pin (8). The center connecting pin (8) is riveted through the elastic storage pouch (9 a); and through the nylon sling strap (3 b) and also riveted nylon web (7) thus attaching the top edge of storage pouch (9 a) and nylon sling strap (3 b) to the gun sling. The sole purpose of the nylon web (7) is to re-enforce the elastic storage pouch (9 a) and the nylon sling strap (3 b) from premature wearing. The production of the swivel assembly(s), adjustment buckle(s), and other parts of this invention may utilize stamping, forging, injection molding and/or machining process techniques, as will be apparent to one of average skill after seeing this disclosure. Utilizing carbon fiber, molded plastics or similar lightweight, high-strength materials should address any weight concerns. The use of metal(s), non-metal(s), composite materials, metal alloys and/or polymeric materials, such as carbon fibers, high impact plastics, elastic(s), webbing and/or other textiles may be utilitized to construct the device. Whereas the present invention has been described in relation to the drawing attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIG. 5 DRAWINGS

FIG. 5 a

-   -   Is an illustration of the transporting of the firearm support         system, attached to a firearm, in its elastic storage pouch. See         FIG. 5; (8 a, 8 b, 8 c)

FIG. 5 b

-   -   illustrates the releasing of the firearm support systems support         legs, by pulling in a downward motion of the thumb loop. See         FIG. 5; (12, 10)

FIG. 5 c

-   -   illustrates the support legs fully extended, automatically         locked and secured in place by the internal elastic cord and         support leg connectors. See FIG. 5; (13, 11, 12)

FIG. 5 d

-   -   illustrates the firearm support system completely set up and         ready for use. The support legs fully extended, See FIG. 5 (13)         and the firearm placed in the support systems rest. See FIG. 5;         (13) and the firearm placed in the support system rest, See FIG.         5; (6) 

1. A firearm support system comprising; (a) in combination with a firearm carrying sling having a strap portion : an elastic pouch is attached to the strap and comprising; a bipod consisting of multiple support legs and a support rest; (b) the sling consists of sling swivels at each end; and adjustment buckles at each end; and the upper end has a cushioned shoulder pad; (c) the bipod comprising; multiple support legs in the form of a cylindrical tube; support legs are connected by an internal elastic cord
 2. The firearm support system of claim (1) where in said: an elastic pouch of a predetermined length and a width generally the width of the sling; a thumb loop is attached at lower edge of elastic pouch.
 3. The thumb loop of claim (2) comprising; by pulling in a downward motion of said thumb loop releases the cylindrical support legs.
 4. The support legs in claim (1) comprising of sections of cylindrical tubing encompassing an internal elastic cord; the support legs lock securely into place by means of support leg connectors;
 5. The support legs in claim (1) may be adjusted to multiple positions, simultaneously; i.e. as for using on unlevel ground or hillside;
 6. A support rest formed into an “X” configuration; (a) support rest can be fabricated of various materials, i.e; like cylindrical tubing and/or injection molding. (b) the support rest allows for a broad shooting radius. (c) the support rest supports the firearm.
 7. The support rest in claim (5) comprising of a center connecting pin which has two functions: (a) allowing the rest to open and close and (b) attaches the elastic pouch and bipod to the gun sling, by means of attaching center connecting pin through nylon web.
 8. The bottom edge of rest tubing in claim (5) comprising an open end allowing the support legs to interlock.
 9. The top edge of support rest tubing in claim (5) has rubber end caps.
 10. The upper end of the elastic storage pouch in claim (1) comprising of an elastic sleeve which is; (a) a fixed to the said elastic pouch on two sides; (b) the bipod in claim (1), and the support rest in claim (5); when in their collasped position are thus stored into the bottom open end of said elastic sleeve.
 11. The bottom end(s) of support legs in claim (1), are closed with rubber end caps.
 12. The gun sling is adjustable by means of the adjustment buckles. 